Hapless Horned Frogs entertain 21sth-ranked Cowboys

Fort Worth, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The 21st-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys go after a fourth straight win on Saturday when they visit the TCU Horned Frogs in a Big 12 Conference matchup at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center.

Oklahoma State continued to roll on Monday, as Le'Bryan Nash led the way with 22 points to help the Cowboys get past 16th-ranked Baylor, 74-65. Phil Forte netted 18 points, Jeff Newberry scored 16 with six assists and Anthony Hickey supplied 12 points and seven helpers for OSU, which has won three consecutive games against ranked teams during a regular season for the first time in school history.

The win also moved the Cowboys to 7-0 against teams from the state of Texas, which could spell bad news for struggling TCU in this contest.

Since opening the 2014-15 campaign with 13 straight wins, the Horned Frogs have fallen on hard times with just a single victory since the end of December. Most recently, TCU was routed by Texas, 66-43, on Wednesday, dropping it to 1-10 in conference, which has it in last place.

Oklahoma State has had no problem against TCU over the years, as it has dominated the all-time series with 21 wins in 23 total meetings. These teams will meet again on March 4.

Trailing by one at the break to Baylor, the Cowboys opened the second half by draining each of their first four 3-point attempts. OSU's hot shooting in the second half enabled it to open up a 54-43 lead with 11:08 remaining. From that point, the two teams essentially traded baskets until Baylor went on a 6-0 run to trim the Cowboys' lead to 58-55 with 4:59 left. Oklahoma State responded and kept the Bears at arm's length the rest of the way to seal the deal.

Nash and Forte are the only two players averaging double digits in the scoring column for Oklahoma State, as they turn in 17.1 and 17.0 ppg, respectively. The team as a whole produces 68.3 ppg in hitting 43.7 percent of its field goal attempts, which includes a 33.5 percent showing beyond the arc. The Pokes have done a decent job of converting their free throws (.718), but it is their approach at the defensive end that has helped them achieve favorable results this season. Foes are scoring just 60.0 ppg behind typical shooting efforts of .390 overall and .324 beyond the arc. They also goad the opposition into nearly 15 turnovers per outing. They've also recorded at least five steals in 22 of their 24 games this year.

Kyan Anderson led TCU against Texas with 11 points, while Amric Fields contributed eight points and seven rebounds in what turned out to be the Horned Frogs' seventh straight loss.

Anderson is the only player on the roster averaging double digits at the moment, as he nets 13.0 ppg for a TCU squad that puts up 68.1 ppg. Balance is the key for the Horned Frogs as six others produce at least 5.8 ppg. Well that, and tough defense as foes are permitted just 60.2 ppg in hitting a mere 38.1 percent of their field goal attempts, which includes a 32.9 percent showing from beyond the arc.